Egg-tester.



No. 630,820. Patented Aug. 8, I899.

W. UPTUN.- v

E G G T E S T E R (Application file'd Sept. 10, 1897.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVlLLARD UPTON, OF ROCHESTER, NElV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMES H. DOTY, OF SAME PLACE.

EGG-TESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,820, dated August 8, 1899.

Application filed September 10, 1897. Serial No. 651,240 (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLARD UPTON, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Egg-Testers, which im provement is fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying draw- 1ngs.

My invention relates to devices for testing the soundness of eggs by the use of light; and the object of the invention is to provide a tester with which any kind of light may be conveniently usedsuch, for example, as candles, oil'lamps, electric or gas lights, the.

A further object of the invention is to provide a candler or tester for eggs that may be vertically adjusted to accommodate it to flames or sources of light of different or changing elevations.

The invention consists in novel constructions and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described,and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing means for holding and vertically adjusting the main cylinder, parts being broken away and omitted.

Referring to the figures, A is the main vertical cylinder of the device, provided with four .radial light-tubes a, occupying a horizontal plane and equally spaced around the cylinder. The cylinder and light-tubes are preferably made of sheet metal, as tin, the tubes being detachable from the cylinder, so all may be readily and conveniently packed in boxes or packages for the purpose of storing or shipping. lVhen preparing thus for packing or shipping, the four tubes are placed inside of the cylinder. In use a source of light or lightgiving body of some kind is placed inside of the cylinder on a level with the series of lighttubes, the eggs being held in the hands of the operator at the outer ends of the tubes, so the light may shine through them.

The cylinder is formed with four circular openings b, Fig. 3, each one being covered by a tube a, the axis of the latter corresponding with the center of the circular opening. One end of each tube is formed with a series of lips c, which being properly bent hold the tube in place upon the cylinder. \Vhen the tube is thus formed, in placing it upon the cylinder the alternate lips are bent outward substantially at right angles with the tube, the remaininglips being passed through the opening 1) and subsequently bent outward firmly against the inner surface of the cylinder, the lips first bent outward resting against the outer surface of the cylinder. However, I do not wish to confine myself to this particular method of attaching the tubes to the cylinder. It may be desirable to provide the latter with looks or catches d and provide the tube with radial pins 6 in position to pass under the catches when the tube is put to place upon the cylinder, the tube being slightly turned upon its axis to lock the parts together. This method of joining the tubes to the cylinder admits of the former being at any time readily detached from the latter for packing or for other purposes, as stated.

The source of light used with this device is not material to the invention, that being only a matter of convenience.

If the tester is used in places where there is no electrical or gas light, the device may be used with a lamp 0, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The lamp for the purpose is formed with a vertical band 11, in which the lower end of the cylinder telescopes, the chimney D of the lamp being concentric within the cylinder. Draft-openings m are formed in the cylinder for supplying air to the lamp.

E, Fig. 3, is a holder for the cylinder A, constructed for the purpose of allowing the latter to be vertically adjusted. This holder consists of a stout horizontal ring 7t, provided with three or more standards Z. These standards are double and formed of spring-wire into opposing branches, between which to pinch the sides of the cylinder. The stand ards are rigid with the ring, and the prongs are bent away from each other at their upper ends, so the cylinder may be readily entered between them. The prongs are also spread or separated near their lower ends, but closed near their upper ends, at which points the metal of the cylinder is firmly pressed between them. By means of these bifurcated standards the cylinder may be raised or lowered for the'purpose of bringing the lighttubes opposite the source of light should that be high or low or varying, as the case may be. If, for instance, a candle be used as a source of light, the cylinder may be cccasionally depressed in order to keep the tubes opposite the flame. This holder E for the cylinder may or may not be used with the lamp 0, depending upon convenience or upon other circumstances. Fig. 2 shows it in combination with the oil-lamp.

WVhat I claim as my invention is 1. A device for testing eggs, comprising a main vertical opaque cylinder perforated at its "sides, and radial tubes connected with the cylinder extending from said perforations, in combination with a holder for the cylinder comprising a horizontal ring provided with standards doubled to form spring devices to tightly hold the cylinder between the branches thereof, whereby the cylinder may be adjusted vertically, as set forth.

2. In an egg-tester, the combination with an opaque cylinder with radial opaque tubes opening into said cylinder, of a holder therefor consisting of a ring and standards each composed of a single piece of spring-wire bent at its center to embrace the ring and one branch of the wire crimped to hold it to the ring'and the main portion of the wire inclined toward each other and the free ends bent outward to facilitate the introduction of the cylinder, all substantially as shown and described.

In witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 7th day of September, 1897, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLARD UPTON. Witnesses:

ENOS B. WHITMORE, M. L. WINSTON. 

